Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny told the Alliance Party annual conference in Antrim that, if elected to lead in the Irish Republic in the upcoming election, he will confront the threat of dissident IRA  on both sides of the border, according to the Irish Independent.

Kenny said the structure of the Good Friday Agreement meant that attacking organized crime, drug and counterfeit cigarette smuggling by subversive organizations must be a joint priority of both jurisdictions.

"Despite the fact that the current peace process enjoys the support of all Government and opposition parties throughout Britain and Ireland, there are a number of dissidents that still remain in existence," he said.

"Attacks carried out by these unrepresentative organisations increased by 70% last year and is an indication of their determination to undermine the current peace process.

"The Independent Monitoring Commission has repeatedly stated that these groups are actively recruiting and training young men without previous terrorist experience and are engaged in serious criminal activity like weapons acquisition.

"If there is one clear message that I want to send out from this conference today, it is this: On March 11th, if the people charge me with the responsibility of leading the next Government, I pledge that that Government will use every resource at its disposal to confront this threat."